Business Services

We provide focused research and analysis with an emphasis on China operations, general business processes, and information technology. Need new software but not sure which product will really meet your needs? Have a business process that takes too long? Have too many rejects in your sorting bins? Need to find out if humans can use that great new software program your engineers have been working on? We can help.

China Market Research

Need to find out just what's happening in a particular sector before you enter the market? We can provide you with a focused report, by location or region. We can also assist you in locating potential suppliers, customers, and business partners.

Business Evaluations

Have something going on at your China factory or supplier but not quite sure what to make of it? We can help you sort through the business and the cultural questions. Know you need to do something but not quite sure where you should start? We can provide you with an overall evaluation of your business, suggestions, and planning guidelines.

Process Analysis (Six Sigma)

Business processes not delivering as you would like? Need to define and document your processes for ISO certification or regulatory requirements? We can review your existing process and make recommendations for improvements.

Operations Evaluations

Finding too many issues and not enough hours in the day? We can help you evaluate your operations from the ground up, identify duplications, and streamline processes. Even complex operations don't have to be overly complicated.

Systems/Software Evaluations

Need to automate some processes? Sometimes a new system and new software can help. Sometimes, not. We can help you identify areas for improvement and avoid costly mistakes.

Human Factors Analysis

Can humans really do what you are asking? Have you provided sufficient training or instruction? Sometimes, a small change in a process can make a task much easier and reduce workplace strains.

Software Usability Testing

Is that great new interface really going to help your data entry staff? What a developer thinks is fine may be confusing to the user. We can help you evaluate the interaction between the software and your staff.

What is Six Sigma?

Six Sigma is a quality improvement philosophy. Literally, six sigma represents 3.4 defects per million opportunities. The process for achieving Six Sigma is called DMAIC (dim-may-ick).

The goal of Six Sigma is not only to reduce defects, but to improve customer satisfaction.

If a customer gets a bad product, are they happy? No. If a customer gets bad service, are they happy? No. If a customer receives their order late, are they happy? No.

Six Sigma methods can help reduce all these defects, leaving you with happy customers, customers who want to do business with you again... and again.

DMAIC represents the five major processes in the Six Sigma method.

Define - What does the customer want?

Measure - What is the customer getting?

Analyze - What is going on?

Improve - How can the problems be solved?

Control - How can problems be prevented?

This is a very simple outline of Six Sigma. If you would like to learn more about Six Sigma, please visit the Business section of our bookstore. If you would like to learn how Six Sigma can help your business, please contact us.

We can come to your location, review your processes and reports, and provide you with an on-the-spot analysis showing how you can take immediate steps to improve customer satisfaction and overall business performance.